Southington police charge man in 15 car break-ins

SOUTHINGTON - Police have charged a Waterbury man in connection with 15 local car break-ins.

David Sanchez, 43, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on numerous burglary and larceny charges. He is being held on $34,500 bond, and is scheduled to appear in Bristol Superior Court on May 25.

According to police, the town experienced a number of nighttime car break-ins last year. During the investigation, officers collected fingerprints and DNA samples from the crime scenes.

Police said the evidence sent to the state’s crime lab later determined Sanchez was the suspect responsible.

He was charged Tuesday with 13 counts of third-degree burglary, nine counts of third-degree criminal mischief, four counts each of third-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny and fourth-degree larceny, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of stealing a firearm and one count of fifth-degree larceny.

According to police, Sanchez has also been charged in connection with car break-ins in numerous other cities and towns in the state.

According to online court records, he is facing similar charges in Danbury, Meriden, Wallingford, Waterbury and Naugatuck.

Sanchez had already been charged by Southington police in February in connection with three car break-ins in which thousands of dollars of goods were reported stolen. Detectives were later able to tie him to more burglaries.

According to police, Sanchez’s criminal history includes convictions of various degrees of larceny, sale of illegal drugs, running from police, forgery, assault on emergency personnel, interfering with police and criminal trespassing.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or at jmuszynski@centralctcommunications.com.